Millwall are in the Championship play-offs for the first time in 24 years and have something of a specialist in the format in manager Alex Neil.
The Scot has led three teams to promotion through the play-offs during his managerial career, leading Hamilton to the Scottish Premiership, Sunderland to the Championship and Norwich to the Premier League in 2015.
Current club Millwall defeated Hull City in the semi-finals and are likely to face either Southampton or Middlesbrough at Wembley. The Lions have finished third in the Championship, and in 17 of the last 20 seasons in the Championship, the third-place team has defeated the sixth-place team in the playoffs.
But Neil knows that regardless of what’s happened before, it’s important to deliver at key moments that matter in the moment.
“I’ve been at both ends of the play-offs, being seen as favorites and being seen as underdogs. I don’t think it really matters,” he told Sky Sports from Millwall’s training ground. There, final preparations were being made for Friday’s trip to MKM Stadium.
Friday, May 8th 7pm
Kickoff at 8pm
“At the end of the day it’s about who played well on the day. We played Hull twice this season, they beat us at their place and we beat them at their place, and there wasn’t much going on in the game. So I don’t see it that way (of Millwall being favorites).”
“This is an important moment.
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Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Oxford United.
“Does someone have a magical moment, a little quality moment? If we don’t make sure we limit the mistakes and errors we make throughout the game, someone might come up with a big save.
“We do have players in our team with that much quality and a bit of magic, but we also have players who protect the box brilliantly in important moments and we have (Anthony Patterson) in goal, who can make big saves when you need them.”
Goalkeeper Anthony Patterson won promotion to the Premier League last season through the play-offs with Sunderland.
Patterson was Neil’s goalkeeper as he lifted Sunderland from League One in the play-offs, and the shot-stopper was also Sunderland’s hero in last season’s Championship play-off final victory over Sheffield United. Tommy Watson, who scored the winning goal in that match at Wembley, is also on loan at Millwall this season.
Millwall also have players like central midfielder Barry Bannan, who had success in the play-offs with Blackpool and Sheffield Wednesday, and that experience could prove vital when the stakes are so high.
“I believe as a coach and as a player, the more I get used to playing in big games, the better it will be for me, because big games are big atmospheres and big moments,” Neal said. “When there’s intensity, pressure, scrutiny, you can handle it.
“The more exposure you have to it, the better.”
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The Sky Sports Essential EFL Podcast takes a look at the Championship play-off semi-finals.
Millwall finished the regular Championship season with the best away record in the division.
Neil says their performances and results on the road give them confidence to “attack” this first leg in Hull ahead of Monday’s return game at The Den.
“We have the best away record in this division so we hope to get a good result in the first leg and take it back to The Den. The important thing is that we don’t waste this opportunity, which is crucial for both teams.”
“I think the biggest difference is that we can now play without fear (away).
“Whether it’s home or away, we approach each game the same way. There’s not much of a change in style depending on the venue and that consistency has helped us achieve great results away.”
“From our point of view, we have nothing to lose. Just attack every game and do our best, just like we have done all season.”
Watch Hull City v Millwall live on Sky Sports Football from 7pm on Friday. Kickoff at 8pm.
